City Council Will Recognize Evanston Police Office For Rescuing Boy From River

The Evanston City Council will be recognizing Sean O’Brien, an Evanston police officer who rescued a 7-year-old boy from the Des Plaines River while off-duty, according to a press release. 

“Officer O’Brien’s observation skills and quick actions saved the child’s life,” according to the release. “His actions are commendable to both the people of Des Plaines and the City of Evanston.” 

Evanston City Council and Evanston Police Chief Richard Eddington will be recognizing O’Brien, who's been with Evanston Police Department for four years, after 7 p.m. on Monday at Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center of Evanston, 2100 Ridge Ave. 

On March 5, while O’Brien was driving home with his girlfriend, he saw a young boy running in the street with no adult supervision near the intersection of Miner Street and River Road in Des Plaines. 

Later, when O’Brien saw the child jumping into the Des Plaines River after hurling a chunk of snow into the water, the 26-year-old immediately jumped into the river and grabbed the child’s hand, pulling the boy out from under the water and to safety. 

O’Brien then carried the child to his car and waited for emergency personnel to arrive. 

The 7-year-old boy, who lives a block away from the river, was being watched by his grandmother and had left the house without letting her know, according to the press release. 

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